No has-Benn - Cork City defender Alan Bennett signs two-year deal

It has been a great month for Cork City, and the news that vice-captain Alan Bennett has just signed a new two year deal will add to the feel good factor at Turner’s Cross.

The lion-hearted City captain put in a number of stirring performances as the Leesiders completed an unprecedented league and cup double.

It was the first time a team representing Cork had achieved that feat since 1951 when Cork Athletic, after securing their second title in a row, added the double with a 1-0 victory over Shelbourne at Dalymount Park after a replay.

In announcing the new deal Cork City also confirmed the popular former Irish international, will combine playing with a new role coaching City’s youth teams.

“I’m really happy that John Caulfield has shown trust in me,” Bennett told the club's official website. “I feel my performances have merited this, so I’m really proud.”

The defender, who is currently on the UEFA Elite Youth A License course, added: ”It is a fantastic time for the club; when we release news of signings, even as a player you are looking and thinking this is brilliant.

“[The new signings] are all really good players and we are looking forward to them coming into the group. John recognises that this club is going from strength to strength and I didn’t expect any different from him!

“Playing Champions League football is where Cork City should be, in my mind, and it is something everyone is really looking forward to. Those nights are brilliant, and I can’t wait for them again.”

“John is putting in the right structures at underage level, getting experienced local coaches and putting them in with ex-players.

“Getting involved in that is something I wanted, and it is the reason why I wanted a two-year contract; I want to keep playing but I also want to get more involved on that side of things.

“John and the Board have been very accommodating, and I am really looking forward to putting in the hours on that side of things.”

Bennett, who also won the title with Cork in 2005, has been at the heart of the City’s bid to wrestle the title back from fierce rivals Dundalk.

After a three year spell in England, where he also lined out for Wycombe Wanderers, Cheltenham Town and AFC Wimbledon, he was an integral part of City’s successful FAI Cup campaign last season.

Manager John Caulfield added: “Alan is a special player at this club. He started his career here before going to Reading and came back home two years ago.

“Since then he has been phenomenal for us. Everyone can see, with his performances during the season and especially in the cup final, what a fantastic player and leader he is.

“He is currently doing his UEFA Elite Youth ‘A’ License, which is geared towards underage and academy work.

“He is a big part of the club and I see him as being a player over the next two seasons, but also helping out our underage structure as well.

“All the players look up to him; they know he has done everything and he knows the club inside out.

“From my own point of view, you can never have enough quality people around the club and Alan is at the top of that.”